Sun Delivers New NetBeans Tools

The company releases two new tools for developers to build both Web and native applications on the open-source NetBeans platform.

Sun Microsystems and its NetBeans community have announced the availability of the NetBeans Visual Web Pack and the NetBeans C/C++ Development Pack.
The NetBeans Visual Web Pack is derived from Suns Java Studio Creator IDE (integrated development environment) technology, and together with the NetBeans C/C++ Development Pack the two offerings provide developers with open-source tools to build both Web applications and native applications alike. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Sun announced the new tools on Dec. 6.

The NetBeans Visual Web Pack also features support for AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) via JavaServer Faces components. It also has a Data Provider API that allows a developer to bind to any data source. Meanwhile, the C/C++ Development Pack includes language features such as dynamic syntax highlighting, code completion, code folding and a class browser, Sun officials said.

"The Packs are a great example of how NetBeans is providing a complete set of tools built on the innovative NetBeans IDE," said Jeet Kaul, vice president of developer products and programs at Sun, in a statement.
"We are excited about Sun moving additional native software development tools into NetBeans," said Patrick Leonard, vice president of product development for Rogue Wave Software, of Boulder, Colo., in a statement. "This expanded access will contribute great value to native language users and the new and growing NetBeans community."

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Darryl K. Taft covers the development tools and developer-related issues beat from his office in Baltimore. He has more than 10 years of experience in the business and is always looking for the next scoop. Taft is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and was named 'one of the most active middleware reporters in the world' by The Middleware Co. He also has his own card in the 'Who's Who in Enterprise Java' deck.